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761 Medical science; What does it tell us about Wuzu?
Below is a brief outline of some of the benefits, whilst Wuzu is performed.

ABLUTION PREVENTS SKIN DISEASES

The Prophet Muhammad, May Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever performed ablution "properly" his wrong doings will come out of his body till they come out from under his limb-nails". He (S.A.W) also said "Verily, on the Judgment day, My nation (Muslims) will come fair and surrounded by lights as a result of ablution, whoever, became able to prolong the retaining of ablution should do"

WASHING HELPS PREVENTS SKIN CANCER

Doctor Magomedov says, "Ablution helps prevent skin cancer." He explains: "The areas that are washed during ablution are the parts of the body that are most prone to pollution, whether it is pollution from the internal secretions of the body on to the skin surface, such as sweat, or whether it is external. Ablution, removes this 'pollution' five times a day, and hence maintains a clean outer skin, which in turn helps the cells underneath to function properly."

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Khawaja Shamsudeen Azeemi states that "During Wudhu, whilst we wash the necessary limbs, the blood running internally acquires new life with which we get peace and when the limbs attain peace, blood pressure becomes normal and the limbs become beautiful. The eyes become beautiful and tiredness departs. This could be explained by water causing vasodilatation of the peripheral vessels. Thus lowering overall blood pressure. Done five times a day, it not only cleanses these vital parts of the body from dust and dirt but also "softens" and refreshes them."

WASHING THE HANDS

In ablution the hands are washed first and there are many benefits. People hold different things in their hands causing bacteria to spread and grow on the skin. If the hands are not washed during the day there is a possibility of getting many types of skin disease, heat spots, itchy skin, eczema, bad skin, change in the skin colour, this is the reason hands are washed first. Hand washing is emphasized more and more in hospitals and is believed to be one of the most important measures to prevent the spread of MRSA.

ABLUTION AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

A heart specialist says with importance, those who have high blood pressure make them perform ablution and the blood pressure will become normal. A Muslim doctor says that the best cure for depression is ablution. The western doctors treat their patents by placing water on some parts of their body, just like ablution. We find that High blood pressure is lowered by ablution.

MOUTH WASH

If the hands are not washed the bacteria will travel into the stomach via the mouth
producing many illnesses in the stomach. Some bacteria stay in the mouth from bits of foods left between the teeth. By washing the mouth and using a Miswak the bacteria will be removed. One who gargles will not get tonsillitis and be saved from cancer in the throat. Doctor Magomedov says, "The obvious reason behind washing the mouth during ablution is to remove the food particles, which could cause teeth and gum problems. That is also the reason why Miswak is also encouraged before ablution."

NOSE WASH

The lungs need clean air free from pollution. In that air the lungs need 50% moisture and the air inhaled should be 90oF+. To attain these temperatures, Allah, The Exalted, has created for us a nose. To make the air moist the nose creates a quarter of a gallon of moisture and the hair in the nostrils stop dirt going inside the lungs. There is a microscopic Hoover in the nose. There are some particles in the nose that kill some bacteria. The job of these particles is to defend the Lysozium and this assists and saves the eyes from infections. Rinsing the nose the way the Prophet did makes the particles stronger which saves one from all types of illnesses. Doctor Magomedov says, "When washing one's nostrils, one is performing a preventive health measure as the germs trapped in the nostrils are removed and do not pass on to the respiratory system."

According to a study conducted by a team of doctors in Alexandria University, the Prophetic tradition, which urges the exaggeration of washing the nostrils by introducing the water in the nostril, then blowing it out, positively affects the inner coating of the nostrils. Those who carried out the washing in the correct form had clean nostrils with no dust clinging to the small hair inside.
WASHING THE FACE

There's some moisture within the eyes. If the moisture dries up there is a possibility of irritation to the eyes which may cause infection and inflammation. A method to prevent this is to pass some water over the eyebrows. Doctor Magomedov says, "the BASes in the face (which are washed during ablution) "recharge" such organs as the intestines, stomach and bladder, in addition to having a positive effect on the nervous and reproductive systems", says Doctor Magomedov in his findings, adding "that the BAS responsible for the osseous system, intestine, nervous system, lumbar area, stomach, pancreas, gall-bladder, thyroid gland, solar plexus and others are situated on the right leg, another area reached by ablution."

BEARD

Prof. George states; "When one washes the face and beard, the bacteria on the face
and beard are cleansed. If one passes the fingers through the beard one will not get lice, not only that but if one leaves water in the beard, one will be saved from pain in the veins in the neck, Thyroid gland and other such illnesses of the neck."

Hazrat Anas bin Malik, May Allah be pleased with him, has related, "The Prophet, May Allah bless him and grant him peace, would apply oil to his head frequently and washed his beard with water.

WASHING THE ARMS

There are three major veins in the elbow that are connected to the heart. The elbow usually stays covered with clothing and if liquid (water) and oxygen (air) does not reach these parts, one may suffer from problems. To wash this part in ablution is obligatory and when the moisture reaches these veins it will strengthen the heart and save it from illnesses.

WIPING THE HEAD

There is a major vein in the body that lies between the back of the head and neck. This vein has a connection with the spinal cord. Wiping the back of the neck reduces the incidence of mental illness.

WIPING THE EARS

Doctor Magomedov says, "In the ear's cochlea are hundreds of BASes that harmonise
the work of almost all organs, decrease high blood pressure and relieve tooth and throat pain."

WASHING FEET

A lot of dust gathers around the feet and infections usually start between the toes. By washing the feet, bacteria and dust form the feet will be cleansed. Washing the feet reduces the risk of insomnia and depression. The left leg has the BAS responsible for the work of the pituitary gland , the brain organ that regulates the functioning of the endocrine glands and controls growing.
"The Prophetic tradition of encouraging one to wash between the toes while washing the feet, is also extremely important," says Salem, "as it prevents the foot, which in our modern times is trapped most of the day inside shoes, from acquiring fungal infection."

PREVENTIVE CLEANSING

From a non-alternative medicine perspective, Mukhtar Salem, in his book titled 'Prayers: a Sport for the Body and Soul', speaks about the health benefits of every aspect of ablution. "Washing with water helps refresh distant blood vessels, as well as the nerves and glands near the skin surface, and hence helps them perform their functions efficiently. Salem adds that "Research has proven that one of the main reasons behind skin cancer is that the skin is exposed to chemicals, especially petrochemicals, and that the best way to prevent skin cancer is by constantly removing these chemicals." Over all, he adds, "Ablution also has an exercising effect on all the muscles involved in its movement, which are thus being stimulated five times a day (or even more due to repetition)."

BENEFITS OF ABLUTION

A Muslim invited a student of a University in Belgium to Islam, to his surprise the student asked 'Regarding the benefits of ablution'. The Muslim took him to a scholar, but he could not tell him. Eventually a person told this student many benefits of ablution (scientific) but couldn't tell him the benefit of wiping the neck (masah). Few days later he came and said, "My Professor in a lecturer said 'that if you wipe the back of your neck on both sides with few drops of water you will be saved from spinal illnesses'". The student understood the virtue and benefit of wiping the neck in ablution and accepted Islam.

DEPRESSION

In Western Germany a seminar took place, on depression and how it was on the rise
as well as mental hospitals. A Physiotherapist who lived in Western Germany spoke about how he was investigating a cure for depression without the need medication. Another Doctor who went along to a seminar with his discussion papers surprised the audience as the Doctor was treating patients' by washing their faces five times a day and within a short period the treatment started taking affect. At the end of his speech he mentioned that fewer Muslims suffer from depression as they wash their parts in ablution, five times a day.

ABLUTION BEFORE SLEEPING

Interestingly enough, the Prophet, May Allah bless him and grant him peace, also encouraged doing ablution before going to bed. A similar ritual is also encouraged by Yoga experts who say that washing important motor and sensory organs such as the hands, arms, eyes, legs, mouth and genitals before sleep using cool water relaxes the body preparing it for a deep sleep.

(The above information has been extracted from “ The Science & Sunnah (Vol 2)” By Muhammad Abd Al Mann)

We learn by this that science educates individual about personal hygiene and cleanliness. We immediately see that a person who regularly washes will have clean and germ free hands, face, nose, mouth, arms, neck and feet. There has been a big topic in infection control in hospitals and all people are being encouraged to wash their hands and control the germ flow. Furthermore by doing Wuzu with water we kill off bacteria from various part of our body and this relaxes the body making us feel fresh.
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